A CULINARY JOURNEY TO PERU

Day 1 Arrive in Lima

Upon arrival in Lima you will be met by a private guide and driven to your boutique hotel in heart of the vibrant Barranco neighbourhood.

Overnight: Hotel B

Day 2 Highlights of Lima

Enjoy the day exploring the beautiful UNESCO city of Lima with a private guide. The tour is fully flexible and your guide will meet you at the hotel whenever you wish. Sights you might like to see include Casa Aliaga, MALI modern art museum, Larco Museum, Mario Testino foundation or a visit to Mari Solari house. Spend an evening at leisure. Our specialists can book a table for you at any of the excellent restaurants in the city, such as Central, led by award-winning Virgilio Martinez.

Overnight: Hotel B

Day 3 Culinary Lima Tour

Today you will spend the day exploring Lima's culinary heritage. Lima is considered as the gastronomic capital of South America and your day with an expert guide will include the opportunity to taste delicious Peruvian specialities made with native ingredients. The day starts with a visit to a local market and continues to a typical restaurant where the chef will show you how to make ceviche and other Peruvian dished based on seafood. You will also be able to try typical cocktails and Lomo Saltado.

Overnight: Hotel B

Day 4 Travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas

This morning you will be transferred with your guide to the airport for your flight to Cusco. On arrival you will be met and driven to the Sacred Valley of the Incas which will take about an hour and a half. You'll steadily decrease in altitude from Cusco at 3,310 metres to an average of 2,850 metres where the vegetation is also more lush. En route, there will be a traditional buffet lunch at the Wayra restaurant followed by a Peruvian Paso horse show. Continue to your hotel via a stop at a local potter to craft your own souvenir. The evening will be at your leisure.

Overnight: Sol y Luna

Day 5 The Sacred Valley

This day will be spent visiting Chinchero, Moray and Maras salinas (salt pans). To begin with you will be driven to the small town of Chinchero where you will enjoy a guided tour around the Incan ruins. Next to the ruins you can find outstanding terraces and several megalithic carved rocks. A short drive from Chinchero you will start your walk on the hills above Maras. The pathway affords spectacular views as well as the opportunity to encounter local people as this route is used by many farmers. Later on you will visit the Moray circular ruins which are thought to have been Inca agricultural testing stations. Close by a Pachamanca lunch is set up just for you at a stunning vantage point. After lunch you can choose to walk or drive back to the Maras salt pans where there will be time explore the other-worldly geometric salt pools.

Overnight: Sol y Luna

Day 6 The Sacred Valley

Hike from Puma Marca to Ollantaytambo through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to explore the traditional life of local communities. After the short but steep climb up to Puma Marca you will follow an old Inca Trail along the steeply terraced valley down towards Ollantaytambo and lunch. If you wish you may visit El Albergue Farm to experience life at an organic vegetable farm. After harvesting vegetables yourself you will learn to cook the famous "Uchucuta" from the region. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Sol y Luna

Day 7 Machu Picchu 

You will start early in the morning for a transfer to the train station for the beautiful journey towards Machu Picchu. On arrival, explore the 'Lost City of the Incas' before a hike to the Inca Bridge or Watchman's hut.

Overnight: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Day 8 Machu Picchu & Cusco

After breakfast, return to Machu Picchu to spend another day exploring the ruins and the surroundings of the UNESCO heritage site. You may also like to climb Huayna Picchu which will take approximately two hours - the views are worth the effort! In the afternoon, catch your train back to Cusco.

Overnight: Inkaterra La Casona

Day 9 Highlights of Cusco

Today, explore the main sights of Cusco with a private guide. Aside from sightseeing you may visit one of the vibrant markets. This afternoon, enjoy a fun "Bean to Bar" chocolate workshop where you will learn about the story of chocolate and how to make it. You will make you own Peruvian chocolate bar - the perfect gift to take home.

Overnight: Inkaterra La Casona

Day 10 Inca heartlands & Peruvian coffee

Start your day with another hike in the hills above Cusco. The hike will lead you to Sacsayhuaman, an impressive site surrounded by a beautiful grass amphitheatre. Followed by the Inca water temple Tambo Machay you will carry on down to Cusco stopping on the way at the 'temple of the Moon'. This afternoon, experience Peruvian coffee at the Museo del Cafe. Here you will learn how the coffee is grown and how to taste coffee correctly from an experienced barista. Additionally you will be able to make your personally labelled bag of coffee.

Overnight: Inkaterra La Casona

Day 11 Cusco food markets and cocktails

This morning, visit the local market with a chef, followed by a lesson in cocktail making at Palacio Nazarenas. Enjoy a final afternoon at leisure, exploring Cusco at your own pace and perhaps shopping for fine alpaca wool gifts before you travel home.

Overnight: Inkaterra La Casona

Day 12 Depart

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.